Fed to the Mountain

Five centuries ago
in ambit of the Inca,
three children took a journey—
a prelude to another.
A high priest urged them upward.
They stood on icy summit,
were given a narcotic
and while they drowsed, were bludgeoned,
buried with incantations
for mountain-god's appeasement.
Gold idol, silver llama,
orange spondylus, more treasured,
were placed around the stilled forms.
Fresh snow cocooned the rock-pile.
Distant and non-judgmental
stars burned above the burial,
and history engulfed it.
The bodies' preservation
awed those who found them later.
Three children took the limelight,
Short, intense and honored
their lives in ritual context—
I'd question whether cruel
for they were loved and nurtured;
for sacrifice were slated
five centuries ago.

"Twin Peaks" Photograph by Lottie Williams